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Civil War Soldiers - Miles

Miles, Nelson A., major-general, U.S. Army, was born at Westminster, Mass., Aug. 8, 1839, was reared on a farm, received an academic education, and in early manhood engaged in mercantile pursuits in Boston. Inheriting the spirit of patriotism, he devoted all the means he possessed, early in 1861, to raising a company of volunteers, and offered his services to his country. He was given the commission of a captain, but, being considered too young for the responsibilities of that command, he joined the Army of the Potomac as first lieutenant in the 22nd Mass. volunteers. In 1862 he was commissioned by Gov. Morgan of New York, as lieutenant-colonel and colonel of the 61st N. Y. volunteers, and at the earnest request of Gens. Meade and Grant he was made a brigadier-general of volunteers by President Lincoln. He was engaged in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac except one — which his wounds unfitted him to enter — until the close of the war. He was wounded at the battles of Fair Oaks, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and received four brevets for gallant and distinguished service. At the close of the war he commanded the district of North Carolina during the work of reconstruction, and on the reorganization of the army he was appointed colonel of infantry. He was made a brigadier-general, U. S. A., in 1880, and a major-general in 1890. He successfully conducted Indian campaigns against the Kiowas, Comanches and Cheyennes in the Indian territory and the Southwest ; the Sioux, Cheyennes, Nez Perces and Bannocks in the Northwest ; the Apaches in Arizona and New Mexico, and the Sioux in South Dakota. He received a vote of thanks from the states of Montana and Kansas and the territories of Arizona and New Mexico for his services, and on several occasions prevented Indian wars by judicious and humane settlement of difficulties without the use of military power. He commanded at different times the departments of the Columbia, Missouri and Arizona, and the military divisions of the Pacific and the Missouri ; was given the rank of lieutenant-general on June 6, 1900, and he was retired, Aug. 8, 1903.

Source: The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal States 1861-1865, Volume 8 Biographical, 1908
 


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